Rapid-Acting Insulin Good for Controlling Nighttime Hypoglycemia

Taking rapid-acting insulin before meals may reduce major incidents of nighttime hypoglycemia and minor incidents of daytime hypoglycemia, according to research conducted by Novo Nordisk presented at the ADA’s scientific sessions in June.

Investigators observed the effects of insulin aspart (Novolog), a rapid-acting insulin, as compared to a soluble, regular-acting human insulin on 155 type 1 subjects over two 16-week periods. Both groups maintained an intensive basal bolus insulin regimen, taking either Novolog or human insulin before meals, then injecting NPH after meals once or twice daily, as needed, to keep tight control of their blood sugars.

There were 72 percent fewer episodes of major nighttime and somewhat fewer events of minor daytime hypoglycemia in the group who took the rapid-acting insulin before meals as compared to those who took the regular-acting insulin.

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